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Andy Reid said Jeremiah Trotter "moved around very well" during a Thursday workout. Trotter is seen rejoicing after a playoff-clinching win in Cleveland on Dec. 10, 2000. (Jerry Lodriguss, File / Staff Photographer)

Eagletarian Blog

Andy Reid didn't say the Eagles would be signing Jeremiah Trotter, after bringing their former linebacking star in for a Thursday workout, but asked directly, the coach didn't say they wouldn't, either.

Reid seemed to emphasize that Trotter moved well, after a knee cleanout last year -- perhaps indicating Trotter is more mobile than he was when the Eagles released him 25 months ago.

Reid said Trotter, 32, "moved around very well."

The timing of the move suggests that perhaps the Eagles are not happy with their run-stopping capability, in the wake of last week's 48-22 loss to the Saints. Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is out for the season with an ACL tear and safety Brian Dawkins, who moved down into the box last season and provided sure tackling, is playing in Denver. The Eagles might feel they need more size and power, especially against NFC East opponents.

But Reid couched the workout more in terms of due diligence.

"You want to make sure you have everything lined up in case you need to go in that direction," he said.

Reid added that the Eagles "haven't made any decision on (Trotter), one way or the other."

Meanwhile, QB Donovan McNabb (rib) is listed as "doubtful" this week against Kansas City. It seems almost certain that Kevin Kolb will again start. Also doubtful is WR Kevin Curtis, who did not practice Friday with a sore knee. Reid said first-round rookie Jeremy Maclin will get his first start, if Curtis is unable to play.

Running back Brian Westbrook did not practice but is listed as questionable, making him more likely to play. Reid said Westbrook's alnkle swelling has subsided.

Safety Quintin Demps (quad) is doubtful, Reid said, a bit of a surprise in that special teams coordinator Ted Daisher had said Demps would take the place of injured gunner Dimitri Patterson, out after hand surgery.

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In interviews earlier this week, Michael Vick used the words marvel and amazed when describing the second chance that he has been given by the Eagles. He lauded the organization, his teammates, the fans, the city and the coaching staff.

In an recorded interview that will air before Sunday's game on CBS, Vick said he is surprised by the role he finds himself in upon returning to the NFL, although not specifically with the Eagles, because he has gone out of his way to compliment Donovan McNabb and been clear that he understands where he fits in with the Birds.

Vick has repeatedly expressed his appreciation to the Eagles and made clear that his role here is to support McNabb and contribute in whatever way is asked of him.

Vick also said he intends on making the most of his second chance for the long term.

"I know I can play this game," he said. "I know I can play it for a long time. I still have the speed, the quickness and the mind to run an NFL offense."

Asked to make a full transcript of the interview available to the Daily News, a CBS spokesman declined.

Vick was not available yesterday to explain what he meant, but it seems likely he was talking about the months before he signed, when it seemed to most observers that Vick likely would end up on a team that felt it needed immediate QB help. When Vick signed with the Eagles in August, agent Joel Segal said one of the attractions of the situation was that Vick would not be asked to step in and carry the quarterbacking load right away, after more than two years out of the game.

Andy Reid, asked about the "starter" quote Friday, said: “I think that’s a great thing. Michael Vick has done nothing but an outstanding job since he’s been here. He feels very grateful and fortunate that he’s playing right now and has this opportunity. I didn’t hear the interview so I can’t tell you how that whole thing went. But I will tell you this: I love quarterbacks that like to play. If they don’t, then that’s probably the wrong position to be in and the wrong profession to be in.”

DOMO'S WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

1. The Michael Vick Experience. With Vick serving the final game of his league suspension last week, Andy Reid still ran a dozen Wildcat/spread option plays. With Vick now eligible to play, Reid may run twice that many this week. OK, maybe not quite that much, but a lot.

2. Cleaning up the special teams gaffes. The Eagles committed five special teams penalties last week that cost them in the field-position battle. Kick returner Ellis Hobbs also had a game-turning fumble to open the second half. They need to clean up their special teams act this week.
3. Ball Protection. The Eagles committed four turnovers in last week’s loss that the Saints turned into 21 points. The Chiefs don’t have offensive firepower that New Orleans does (they’ve scored just three offensive touchdowns in two games). But the Eagles can’t give them any easy layups.

4. Rattling Cassel. Matt Cassel won’t be nearly as difficult to get to as Drew Brees was last week. He has a shaky offensive line in front of him and he has a bad habit of hanging on to the ball too long. Was sacked a league-worst 47 times last season with the Patriots.
5. Red Zone Success. The Eagles’ offense was a perfect 3-for-3 in the red zone in their Week 1 win over Carolina. They got inside the New Orleans 20 five times last week, but converted just one of those chances into a touchdown and managed just 13 points. They’re going up against a Chiefs team that is 32nd in the league in red-zone defense, allowing five TDs in five chances.

THREE NUMBERS TO CONSIDER

1. Andy Reid is 16-6 vs. rookie head coaches and 10-2 at home.

2. The Eagles are 4-6 in the game before the bye under Reid and 1-3 in the last 4 years. They are 10-0 in the game that follows the bye.

3. Despite the yards and points tallied by New Orleans, the Eagles are eighth overall in total defense.

THE DAILY WILDCAT

Chiefs defensive end Glenn Dorsey to the Kansas City Star on the team's preparation for the Wildcat, now with the added dimension of Michael Vick:

"If he's in the game, we're going to be ready for it. We go through it enough in practice. You've got to have your adjustments ready and just line up in the right spots, and you'll be all right."